suppose brings it at 8d. tried. I have also sent your Good Lady's pickle pot, but we take shame to ourselves that after detaining it so long, now to return it empty, not so much as a bitt of Fish to be had to put in it. I forwarded your Letter unto Mr. Robinson, and a few days after he came to Town. inclosed you have his reply. I cannot at present write my much esteem'd friend Mr. Rivera, but if I might presume to advise him, it shoud be that Mr. Robinson be obliged to take the Bill up and give his note for the Amount and not let it lay in the manner it now does. A few days ago, I run the prong of a sharp fork into my right thumb which makes it very sore and painfull and can hardly hold a pen. you'll therefore be pleas'd to excuse this scrawl and the brevity which I use in replying to your favor. My Mother, Mrs. Seixas and all friends unites with me in usual Salutations, and am Respectfully, Dear Sir, Your most Affectionate humble Servant, MOSES SEIXAS JONATHAN HASTINGS, JR. TO AARON LOPEZ 1 Dear Sir, Boston, 15th February, 1781. THE following is an Extract of Mr. Green's Letter relative to the Shop: "Your favor of the 25 Ulto. came to hand yesterday containing some further proposals which simply considered I would entertain no unfavourable Opinion of them, nor am I unwilling to extend the time as you desire on the condition mentioned of wanting it myself; and therefore in order to comply with your Request, say, that I wo'd confirm your Expectation of the three years from the last Settlement (on the above Condition,) at the rate of £40 per year (in quarterly payments as usual) as I suppose you do and I should in other times look upon it as a sufficient Offer: but tho' I have given an answer as I have, yet I shall still leave it to your further Consideration whether considering the superior advantages of Scituation etc. etc. and the rate 1 The original is in the Newport Historical Society. Lopez had gone to Philadelphia. others are now set at and only let, or the price fixed quarterly, whether it ought not to be something more. this I can assure you I could have had a great deal more had I hearkned to the proposal, but I rest this intirely in your own Breast, after making any proper Inquiry to satisfy yourself about it. I have wrote as I have to save time, depending you will not let me, as I am perswaded you would not be willing that I should be a sufferer by the Bargain, as we cant transact at this distance altogether as if I was present, which being the needfull on the subject I remain yours" - thus he: Tho' Mr. Green has been very prolix, yet it is beyond my Expections of having so definitive an answer, which for him is exceeding full, and sufficient in my opinion to engage it me for 3 years at £40 per ann. this is also his Brother Edward's mind on the matter. The inclosed is the prices current New England Rum 45 dollars W. I... do.. Dry Goods of the best quality. 80 do. Sugar in Barrell 2 for I. 54. Steel. Iron and Steel fall rapidly. We have accounts from the West Indies of great Success, of which the inclosed paper will inform you, of the Ships and Transports taken by Count De Estaing's Squadron. You know my haste on Post Mornings, must therefore conclude that I am yours sincerely, JON'A HASTINGS, JUN. [On the outside of the letter: ] Just arrived a Confirmation of C. D. Estain[g's] Success of the Western Islands, by a Vessell arrived at Dartmouth, which left Martinico after one of the Count's Ships had arrived there. 7 Capital Ships are taken and 45 Transports only.1 1 "Ever since you left Boston Goods have been falling. every week much to the disadvantage of the shopkeeper." to Aaron Lopez, February 26, 1781. Ms. Vendue offices opening Jonathan Hastings, Jr., Dear Sir, MOSES SEIXAS TO AARON LOPEZ Newport, February 18, 1781. THE next day after I rec'd your favour of the 22d Ulto. I sold your flour for the use of the French forces at 7 dollars per Cwt. payable in their bills at par, and altho nothing has been wanting on my part to compleat the matter before this, yet the tedious manner of their purchasers has prevented the same being effected, for even now I am waiting for the bills. the Quantity sold was 35 Casks (in which is included the 2 specified in Invoice No. 6) which weigh'd here 96.3.20 Nt. so that it fell short 1.0.7 from what you sent it at. notwithstanding this sale being so disadvantageous, yet you may depend the purchase was made to oblige me. I am very sorry that your Baizes will not sell here, and of the damage that has accrued unto you by their being here, but I cannot help it. every effort of mine has been exerted (equally the same as if they were my own) to facilitate the sale of them. the same has likewise been extended unto every other Article of yours that remains on hand, and it wou'd give me much pleasure cou'd I inform you of any Capital ones being sold, but there is no forceing a market here. The 22d Ulto. I took up your draft in favor Mr. Brinley. you ask me my Advice respecting the debt due unto you from Mr. Robinson, which is to compel him to give you a Mortgage on his Farm if it is unincumber'd, for I am firmly of Opinion that neither you nor Mr. Rivera will get any payment in England, nor money from him. I have repeatedly by Mr. Rivera's desire reminded Geo: Tabor of the promise that he made unto you of paying me some money on Account of his arrears unto you. he tells me of disappointments etc. but promises that it shall not be long now before he pays some. I have the pleasure of my Friend D. Lopez's Company. he was here when he received yours from Boston dated 30th Ulto. and show'd me the paragraph therein directed unto me, and to which I have paid all due attention. as I have no favorable Opinion of your speculation in french Bills at Phila delphia, knowing that the Treasurer General sent his Clerk there a few weeks ago on purpose to negociate Bills to a large Amount, I therefore did not think it prudent to retake any money from Charles Handy for to purchase bills with, nor to pay your order unto John Carter. the latter I effected the 13th Inst. by adding some of my money unto some of yours that I had in hand. hope my determination may prove agreable. I have open'd your Crate of Cream Col. ware the Cups are soo large that they are rather unsaleable and the Quantity falls short. the Brandy that D. Lopez sent was so very low that I have been glad to get rid of it at 7/6 L. My. per Gallon. some Flour of an equal Quality to that which was contain'd in the hhds. that weigh'd 8 Cwt. wou'd sell at 5 dollars, and I do suppose I cou'd get a Quantity off among the Mons. for their Bills at the price that they give. The attention that I was necessarily oblig'd to give unto my Sister Bilhah Levy during her sickness, her death, the want of an Opportunity unto Leicester, the supposition of your being gone forward and on your journey to Philadelphia all combin❜d to prevent my writing you untill now, which I hope will find you safely arrived at Philadelphia in good health. this moment the bills for the amount of the flour are brought me and inclosed you have the first and second bills of two setts, one sett for 2400 Livers, and the other for 1162.2.6. the other remainder of the setts shall send tomorrow unto you at Philadelphia by the post as it appears obvious unto me that it is there you want them. Accept the kind salutations of my Mother, Mrs. Seixas, and of, Dear Sir, Your most affectionate humble Servant, Dear Sir, MOSES SEIXAS JOSIAH HEWES TO AARON Lopez Philadelphia, 13 February, 1781. I AM this minute favored with yours of the 2d Inst. encloseing four Setts of Exchange vizt. No. 59 for 400 dollars No. 312 for 600 dollars No. 52 for 5901 livers, and No. 35 for 3801 livers, those being the first bills of each sett would be glad the others ware allso come. have jest sold the 600 dollar bill at 721⁄2 for one, and am in hopes to obtain that for the others except the 90 day bill, which will gladly take 70 for, as bills are falling here, will sell as soon as posable on the terms you mention, giveing time to collect the Continental or York State money. Could soon sell them for Penna. State paper, but fear could not readaly change it. I note the whole of your letter, but the post comeing in so late and going out again allmost immediately have not time so fully to answer you as could wish, but will send you a few lines to fish kill next post. Se price current and believe me most sincerely yours JOSIAH HEWES P[rice] C[urrent] flour 120£ windward rum £32 Jamaica ditto £45 Molasses £22.10 to £24 Raw Sugars £350 to 400£ loaf do. £9. to 10£ Coffee 16 dollars Chocolat 18 dollars pepper 98 dollars Nutmeggs 500 dollars bohea tea 90 Dollars plenty Dry goods or rather European Goods what cost I liver in france about 30 Dollars Irish linnens that cost 1/ Sterling about 3/ to 3/6 State paper Specie at 75 for I Gold not to be purchased under 100 to 110 for I. I Dear Sir, CHARLES SIGOURNEY TO AARON LOPEZ Amsterdam, March 6th, 1781. THE Arrival of your Goods at Marstrand from Amsterdam, just as I had got the Rambler ready to clear out, and the many avocations which then took place, prevented my taking out my Letter to you, to add, your Goods were come to hand and shipd. Since which I have the agreeable satisfaction to hear of the safe arrival of the Ship with you, and hope you've received 'em free of any damage. I have to acquaint you of the arrival of the Indigo and Pearl Ashes here, which came in the Rambler, but on examining them found two barrells fill'd with Coarse Sand instead of Pearl Ashes. I cannot think it could possibly have been done on board the Rambler, as so gross an Embezzlement could not but have |